Thanks for the continued supprt through the journey of smashing. I appreciate all of the follows, favorites and reviews. Please continue to do so. It is greatly appreciated! Truly love slowly building upon the Karen and Derek story...Hope you do too. Thanks

B

Karen woke up from a night of prodding and poking by nurses. Surprisingly she felt well rested. She definitely didn't feel like she was just hit by a car. She sat herself up in the bed. This was Karens second time being hospitalized, and she hated it. She couldn't wait to be out of the foreign room that had been struck by lord knows how much death. Karen always thought about off the wall things. She didn't spend her time debating if the glass was half empty or half full, she was more interested in how the glass got there in the first place. Karen grabbed her phone to look at the time. When she picked it up she had a single message waiting for her. She knew that the message had to be from Dev. But then again it seemed that everything Karen "knew" was wrong. This situation was no different.

Karen we have you a private suite, the kind only a star deserves. I will have a driver to pick you up at 12. Eileen.

The message tickled Karen pink. Eileen Rand sent her a text, about a private room at that. She immediately became excited about her future. She was nervous about Ivy playing Marilyn, naturally. Ivy was amazing, and Karen was mesmerized by her talent. If Ivy continued to be great in the show, why would they possibly give her the part back. Besides, she was only Marilyn once. But before Karen could get to deep into self deprivation a visitor appeared in her door. It was her dad.

"Hi, honey. How are you feeling today?" Roger Cartwright walked across the room holding a giant teddy bear.

"Dad, I thought you guys left" Karen said as joy and confusion ran across her face. She was happy to see her Dad. She was very upset about the conversation last night, and wanted a chance to make it right.

"Your mother and I decided we need to talk to you like the adult you were before we ran back to Iowa." He stated blankly waiting for Karen's mother to enter the room.

"Karen, dear, I am so happy to see you awake, and looking well." Her mother smiled a genuine smile at Karen.

"Thanks mom, I really do feel much better than I anticipated." Karen responded.

"We're sorry Karen." her parents seemed to state in unison.

"I am sorry too, I had no right, I know that you guys are trying to protect me." Karen really was sorry for the way she reacted to her parents. She knew that if one day she had a child who the target of an attempted murder, she would drag them home kicking and screaming.

"Don't be honey. We knew from the first day you started sing, we would never be able to hold you back. It has been so hard to see you go. Especially loosing your brother...I feel like we let him die, alone in New York. We don't want the same thing to happen to you." Mrs. Cartwright was in tears while she held her daughter's hand.

"Karen, you have always been special to us. We tried to shield you from negativity and hurt as much as possible, sometimes to your demise. We didn't want anyone to take advantage of you...But maybe it is time for us to release the reigns and let you start living the life I never had the courage too. We love and support you sweetie." Roger continued where his wife dropped off. Karen hadn't felt so much support from her parents ever.

"You don't know how much this means to me. Before Kameron died, we would dream about doing shows together on Broadway...I want him to know we made it. I don't want to let him down, I know he would have done the same for me." Karen felt tears glisten her cheeks as well. They never talked about Kameron. It was ice to know that someone else felt the lost she did.

Roger handed his daughter a wad of cash one again. "Call it an emergency fund. You are going to need it to pay bills now that Dev is out of the picture." Karens dad paused to look at her reaction. "You are far to beautiful, inside and out, to be mistreated by any man." He kissed her on the forehead.

Somehow Karen didn't have the heart to tell her parents about all of Dev's indiscretions. She didn't know what the future would hold, and she didn't want to murk the waters between anyone. Karen talked with her parents about her plans for the near future, and her permanent role as Marilyn Monroe. They mad arrangements to come to New York for opening night. They stayed with their daughter while the doctors went over the discharge instructions, and follow up timeline. Karen, despite being extremely fragile, was more determined than ever to make her dreams come true as she was wheeled out of the hospital room.

Karen said her goodbyes to her parents as they entered the lobby. She stood up from the wheelchair feeling strong and was stifled by the aching pain of the bruises on her leg. She was happy to be leaving the hospital, and that was all that mattered at the moment. She watched in amazement as a black town car pulled up to the revolving doors, and Derek Wills stepped out. She felt her cheeks begin to turn a bright red. She tried to control her emotions, but she felt like a small school girl with a crush on the hunky substitute. She knew that Derek was in a relationship, and any implications of inappropriateness would jeopardize her career. Still she couldn't help feeling an attraction to Derek. The same man she disliked for obvious reasons, was becoming the apple of her eye. And what a delicious apple he was. She didn't remove her gaze from him as he strode across the barrier and into the lobby. His walk was confident and had a slight bounce at the toe of every step. He wore a black button down collared shirt with dark denim jeans. Karen chuckled in her head. She never saw the director wearing jeans, or anything fitting for that matter. He always wore slacks or sweats. The sweats were what made Karen pleasantly uncomfortable. In his sweats you could see everything Derek had to offer, and he had a lot to offer. He walked up to where Karen was standing and gave her a quick grin.

"Felling better are we Ms. Cartwright." He always seem to be on.

"I am, not that I remember much before yesterday". Karen replied. She could recall bits and pieces, but for the most part, the previous three days were a blur.

"Good, because we've got a lot of work to do in the next two weeks to get you ready for broadway." Derek grabbed the small bag from the nurse as he spoke.

Karen couldn't reply to what Derek had to say. She wanted to attribute it to good listening etiquette, but she knew better. She had a crush on Derek. A butterflies in the stomach, name on the notebook elementary crush. It was refreshing. She was with Dev for most of her adult life, and as much as she did love him. She knew it was time for a change.

Derek walked quickly to the car. He opened the door for Karen and braced her with his arm as she settled her way into the seat. His grip was strong and dominate, making her feel safe. For some reason Karen always felt safe around Derek. He was a hard ass, loud and demanding, but Karen knew that his personality was a persona he developed and perfected. How could anyone truly be so mean and so nice in the same body. She would be more apt to believe there were two Dereks. That made her chuckle out loud. Two Derek's is exactly what she "dreamed" about. Derek must have heard the chuckle because he raised an eyebrow at her as he shut the door. But when Karen turned away he just walked around to his side of the car and plopped into the seat next to her. He gave the driver the directions to the hotel and pulled out his phone. Karen watched as Derek sent out more e-mails and text than anyone she'd ever seen. His fingers moved effortlessly over the screen of his Android. She imagined that he must an enormous amount of decisions to make about the show which occupied most of his communications with the outside world. But Karen was happy riding in the silence, she preferred not to be asked to many could have attempted to make small talk with the director. Instead she enjoyed the one moment of silence she had.

"What are you staring at." Derek asked without braking his focus on his phone.

"What?" Karen replied in a shocked tone. She wondered how he could know she was looking at him.

"I can feel your eyes on me you know. " he said turning his head at her with a smile.

"I was just admiring your work ethic." Karen responded. She couldn't tell him that she was admiring him on a whole.

Derek smiled at her, a full smile. Karen was at a lost for words. She studied the face of the man she had worked with for months. She was amused. She looked at him from his adams apple and followed an imaginary line up to his scruffy salt and peppered beard. On the surface she recognized a rough and handsome man with tousled hair and perfect lips and a hard exterior. But the fun part was when she looked in his eyes. His eyes, beautifully green like emeralds and Peridot shining deep in the sea. His eyes were young, and in that moment Karen seen the little boy in Derek, the person he was on the inside. It was almost as if he could sense her reading him.

"Do you stare at everyone and wonder what they were like as a child?" Derek said interrupting her thoughts.

"No, I just find you very interesting. How do you do that anyway?" Karen asked, excitement registering in her voice.

"When I was a lad in the theater my mother would always beg me to get and education. So, I did. I studied psychology. But nonetheless Darling you where all your expressions on your face. Which is one of the many joys of watching you perform." Derek looked back down at his phone.

"You like watching me perform" Karen asked after a slight silence. She contemplated what he might say once she asked, and hope that it did sound like an open invite to some sort of sexual endeavor.

"If I didn't you wouldn't be here." Derek said.

Karen left the conversation at that. She looked at the city of Boston outside her window as they made there way to the hotel. Derek signaled the driver around to the back.

"Sneaking in are we?" Karen inquired of the director.

"Yes, that's exactly right Ms. Cartwright. Seems every reporter in Boston wants a comment from the understudy who was ran down by a crazed assistant, and returns to the show without a scratch." Derek opened the door and ran around to open hers. He helped her out of the car and into the hotel.

"We alerted the hotel manager your were coming in through the back, so there will be no surprise back this way." Derek spoke too soon.

As soon as they entered into the back door they were greeted by a sight that upset Karen more than any report ever could. Dev seating in the hotel restaurant with Ivy. Karen stopped in the middle of the back lobby and starred, trying to keep her jaw from slamming down onto the floor. If she had any secret hopes of reconciling with Dev, which she did, they need to be reconsidered immediately. Ivy noticed Karen first and gave a slight wave to the brunette beauty through the glass. Dev turned around to see Karen standing there, he immediately stood up and headed towards the two of them. Dev was standing a foot away from the pair when he finally stopped. Karen felt rage take over her body, and before she could think to control her actions she slapped hm across the face. She immediately moved closer to Derek, who instinctively stepped in front of Karen.

"What are you doing here with her Dev?" She asked in a low rage filled tone.

"I ought to be asking the same of you. You break up with me and run off with your director." Dev smirked at Derek and gave him a once over as he spoke. He tried to ignore the sting of his cheek.

"Easy, this time I wont hesitate" Derek mumbled to the younger Englishman. He was intimidating even with a broken arm.

"What are you talking about Dev, he picked me up from the hospital, you know the hospital you didn't show up at." Karens words were scolding with anger.

"I showed up to the hospital Karen, I was forced away. Ask your boyfriend about that. Ivy explained how you'd been having an affair with Derek for weeks. It made perfect sense, you go from hating the man to running around town doing 'secret shows'. You can't help but smile when you talk about him. So I have decided to move on to bigger and better things." Dev responded with arrogance.

Karen tried to stand strong in his presence. She didn't want him to see any tears run down her cheeks it wasn't worth it. She opened her mouth to speak but

"I will tell you one thing you little twit. if I was an any type of relationship with Karen, she wouldn't stop to talk to the likes of you. You bloody idiot, I suggest you piss off. If you want a clunge, then I guess Ivy will be better for you. However Karen doesn't have the time nor the need to deal with you any longer, so bugger off you arse." Derek grabbed Karen by the small of her back and turned to walk off leaving Dev dumbfounded.

"Thanks, you didn't have to-" Karen said, being cut off mid sentence.

"I know I didn't Karen. I just don't trust him. I try not to get in the personal lives of my artist. But that man is no good. You deserve much better." His words lingered in the air for moments after he spoke.

Karen didn't know what would cause Derek to pick up on such characteristics in days that Karen hadn't in years. She followed Derek to the elevator and hung her head in silence, she began to cry no matter how hard she tried not too. Her tears were as stubborn as her mind was. She wanted to stop her mind from thinking of Dev but she couldn't. How could he be so stupid.

"Boys are stupid. And Dev is still a childish boy. You are better off without him." Derek rubbed Karens arm as he spoke. They walked down the hallway.

"That's creepy" she managed to smile through the tears.

"Yes it is, I wasn't going to bring it up." Derek smiled at her again. Twice in one day was extremely unusual. "You're just going to have to resist the urge to walk across the hall to my suite at night. I can't let you take advantage of me. But on the other hand." Derek laughed, he knew that wasn't what she was referring to.

"I meant the way you read me so well." Karen rolled her eyes at her cocky director.

"Well here is your key, love. I know you need to get some rest." Derek spoke softly. His kind words caressed Karens emotions.

"Thank you Derek, you don't know how grateful I am." Karen gave him a hug much to his surprise, and that of her own. She usually kept her distance from Derek. but how could she with him being so nice. She turned to walk into her suite.

"Karen..." He said as he softly grabbed her arm to turn her around. "If you need anything, I want you to call me...no matter what the time. I know this has to a terrifying experience for you. " He gave her a small piece of paper with a phone number written on it.

"I have your phone number." Karen smiled out of confusion as she accepted the paper.

"No one on this production or any production elsewhere has this number." Derek smiled mysteriously.

"Well I must be pretty special." she said reciprocating her smile.

"I just want you to know, that I am hear for you. I want to protect you as much as I can. it's going to be pretty hectic around here. And you will need a friend."

"a friend" Karen said in a weary tone. "You are going to be my friend?"

"I can be." He said simply.

Derek waited until Karen entered her room. Karen was smitten with the interaction they just had. She felt giddy inside. The feelings where amplified when she looked around her room. She loved the suite, it was far more elegant than she ever imagined. She thought the room she shared with the ensemble was nice, but thus was amazing. The room was beautiful with a spectacular view of the city. The entrance was adorn by modern artwork in the color of steel gray and burnt orange. The carpet was a neutral tan and plush to the fell. The suite began with a living area that had tan furniture that belonged in a luxury condo. The furniture appeared to be brand new, obviously the hotel was well taken care of. The full windows across the living room made the space airy and light. Karen walked through the living room and glance at the bathroom. It was elegant. Marble countertops and floors and full sized toiletries where a few of the amenities The giant glass shower was like another room in itself. Karen felt like she was in paradise. she continued passed the kitchen area to the bedroom, what she saw stopped her dead in her tracks. The room was huge, and just as beautiful as the rest of the hotel, but that wasn't want paralyzed her in awe. Enormous vases of flowers were scattered across the room on the nightstand, floor and dresser. They were the most beautiful flowers she'd ever seen. she picked up the card on her Bed are began to cry as she read it.

Karen we are so proud of you. You have had a positive effect on everyone in this production. We hope you get well soon, we can't wait to have our Marilyn back on stage with us. We are going to support you through everything. We are so glad you are ok. It was signed by the cast and crew of bombshell. Karen had began to feel like she belonged with the group. And this cemented her place.

There was one more card on her bed, she couldn't imagine what it was. She picked it up expecting a picture from the cast. She was surprised by the card on the inside. It was a small card embossed with calla lilies and a silk ribbon. It was a beautiful card. On the inside the card was blank with a hand written message. I don't know why, but you Ms. Cartwright make mme smile. I wouldn't know what to do If I lost that. Your Friend (wink) Derek.

"Friend Huh?" Karen smiled as she fell back on the bed. she contemplated on the Irony that surrounded her relationship with Derek. Finally she fell asleep.